A Day in the Loft is Insulating

Beyond helping out nature, I hope to retain my heat this winter and save some money as well (okay, so that was my true first motive... but the whole environment thing sounds politically correct and I'm happy to improve my 'efficiency'). Anyway, having no idea what the loft holds for me today, I strap on my boots, put on long sleeves and gloves, and throw on some safety goggles for good measure.At the top of the ladder, I meet my first challenge. An old top loading Zanussi washing machine - why is this in the loft? Not another one of dad's 'could be useful one day son'? Fortunately it's on wheels, so a neat push and my way is clear. On top of the machine is an old magazine rack full of guess what, old magazines. The telltale roll of toilet paper tips me off that this used to serve as a vital of distraction for those on the throne. I consider restoring this bathroom aid for the same purpose, until it slips out of my grasp and smashes at the bottom of the ladder. Hmm, well I was needing some kindling. Next, I find Grandma's old Bible. I thumb through it looking for a forgotten will or unclaimed life insurance policy. I find nothing. Although It wouldn't do me much good if I did find any of those precious documents, she turns a sprightly 93 next month - maybe I should give it to her as a birthday present? I flip through a stack of more old books which I lug downstairs and set next to my "could be eBayed" pile. After shoving around the old rocking horse for a minute and accepting that a ride may be a bad idea, I decide it will stay up there. I do not want to see it in splinters down below with the magazine rack... The baby buggy seems like a must have eBay sale item, but I don't want to end up as a pile of splinters myself taking on the removal challenge, so I will take the pic of it up here and worry about getting it down when the buyer pays me 10 grand for it. In fact that could be an idea! Could be some web site design tonight - 'Loft bay'.All right, now I am ready for action. I bring up the rolls of insulation. Now I am glad that I suited-up for the occasion. The long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection will keep the floating shards of fiberglass from agitating me and shredding my skin. Since the loft floor is unfinished and only covered by loose boards, I have to balance delicately to keep from falling between the ceiling joists and making an unexpected and ironic landing on Grandma's mobility equipment in the room down below. The rolls of insulation take only minutes to lay out. My only struggle comes when I have to wrestle the rocking chair, washing machine and baby carriage across the loose boards to finish insulating the whole floor/ceiling (that typed so much easier than the reality!). As I work I get the idea of putting down a plywood floor over these joist boards so the whole storage thing can go a little easier up here next time. I suppose I could have chosen to buy home insulation board instead of the roll out stuff. Even though they tend to be more pricey, I could put down those foam boards over the fiberglass to increase my heat retention if I wanted. Then I could put plywood or OSB wood down on top of it all. Hmm, add a little insulation to the ceiling and this could be a livable room......Aha! Now I know what to do with Grandma!